Dog fight over move to halt tail docking

[DoozyDog]

Pro-hunting and animal rights' groups get ready for battle
By Michael McHugh

21 January 2006
There were fresh calls for an end to the docking of dogs' tails last night after moves in England to outlaw the practice sparked controversy.

The animal welfare minister at Westminster wants to make the docking of animal tails illegal as part of the Animal Welfare Bill which is passing through Parliament and there have been calls for matching legislation in Northern Ireland.

The proposals have been welcomed by animal welfare organisations but opposed by pro-hunting groups which argue that dogs with long tails could be injured while hunting in thick undergrowth.

A spokesman for the USPCA said the practice was unnecessary in many cases.

"I know that a lot of vets already refuse to dock dogs' tails for cosmetic reasons and we would approve of that," he said.

"We believe it should only be carried out for justifiable health purposes, if at all.

"If there was legislation this would help to ensure that vets refuse to dock tails except for those purposes."

The ban in England will affect 58 traditionally docked breeds including Corgis, spaniels, Dobermann and Boxers.

Animal Welfare minister Ben Bradshaw is piloting the measure through the Commons.

"We would like to see this position which most vets hold put into the legislation so we can be sure that this practice is not being continued," the USPCA added.

"You are relying on vets as individuals, they are not obliged to take this stance, and we would like to see this corrected."

Ronan Gorman, chief executive of the Countryside Alliance in Ireland, believes a ban would endanger the health of working dogs.

"I breed and train quite a few Springer Spaniels and all of their tails are docked.

"I have seen some horrific tail injuries in hunting dogs who have not been docked if they get entangled with undergrowth and this can bother them throughout their adult life," he said.

"It can cause a lot of suffering to a lot of dogs.

"There is also the cost involved in these injuries. Owners could spend hundreds of pounds at the vet if their dogs are injured."

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/ne...p?story=676495